Dye machine with fabric tension adjustment

ABSTRACT

A dyeing machine comprises a tank for containing liquid dye. Upper and lower rollers are rotatably supported in the tank for carrying fabric to be dyed. The lower rollers can be adjusted in the tank for adjustably tensioning the fabric. An apertured steam pipe passes steam into the tank for heating the liquid dye and keeping it stirred. Two pumps are connected to another pipe having nozzles opening into the tank. One pump exerts suction for draining the liquid dye. The other pump feeds hot air into the tank to dry the dyed fabric. The rollers are driven by endless chains provided with laterally extending pins to engage margins of the fabric for holding it transversely taut and smooth.

United States Patent Zarrello 5] Mar. 7, 1972 [54] DYE MACHINE WITH FABRIC TENSION ADJUSTMENT [72] Inventor: Thomas Zarrello, 80 Passaic Road, PassalC, NJ. 07055 [22] Filed: Apr. 27, I970 [21] Appl. No.: 31,930

[52] US. Cl. ..68/20, 68/175 [51] Int. Cl. .1305: 3/132, B056 9/14 [58] Field ofSearch ..68/20,5 D, 5 E, 175, 19.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,170,579 8/1939 Sperry ..68/5 E 1,932,105 10/1933 I-Iinnekens ..68/l75 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 363,308 l0/l938 Italy ..68/20 Pn'mary Examiner-William I. Price Attorney-Polachek, Saulsbury & Hough ABSTRACT A dyeing machine comprises a tank for containing liquid dye. Upper and lower rollers are rotatably supported in the tank for carrying fabric to be dyed. The lower rollers can be adjusted in the tank for adjustably tensioning the fabric. An apertured steam pipe passes steam into the tank for heating the liquid dye and keeping it stirred. Two pumps are connected to another pipe having nozzles opening into the tank. One pump exerts suction for draining the liquid dye. The other pump feeds hot air into the tank to dry the dyed fabric. The rollers are driven by endless chains provided with laterally extending pins to engage margins .of the fabric for holding it transversely taut and smooth.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR 7 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR. 7/zamas Zarre/la FATENTEDHAR 7 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 1 INVENTOR. mamas ZdrreZZo B flame M47 HIMR/VEYS PATENTEDMAR 71972 3,646,784

SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR.

177200 Zarrc/Zo mow/vars Steam DYE MACHINE WITH FABRIC TENSION ADJUSTMENT This invention concerns an improved fabric dyeing machine having adjustable tensioning means for the fabric, and facilities for drying the fabric after dyeing.

Heretofore dyeing of fabrics involved a process in which at least two different machines were employed. In one machine the fabric was passed over rollers through a dye bath. After dyeing the fabric was removed and passed through a drying machine. This arrangement has proven disadvantageous, difficult and troublesome for several reasons. During the transfer from the dyeing machine to the drier the fabric became twisted and warped. The installation was very expensive because two machines were required to perform the separate functions. An excessive amount of skilled labor was required to supervise the machines and keep them in operation.

The present invention is directed at a single machine which accomplished all dyeing and processing functions so that fabric can be processed completely and automatically from an undyed state to a dry dyed state.

According to the invention there is provided a machine including a tank which can be filled with a liquid dye. The cloth to be dyed is fed from a supply roll around two sets of rollers. One set of rollers is mounted on a stationary frame. The other set of rollers is mounted on a movable frame. This movable frame pennits tension in the fabric to be adjusted during the dyeing process. The rollers are turned by motor-driven chains. A steam line feeds steam into the tank to heat and stir the dye. The tank is also provided with pumps which drain dye from the tank and which force hot air into the tank for quick drying of the dyed cloth. The machine can dye cloth in a plurality of layers simultaneously.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a single dyeing machine to perform both jig work and box.

A further object is to provide a machine in which fabric is dyed on rollers in a tank under variable tension, the fabric being dried in the same tank before being removed from the machine.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings, wherein:

FlG. 1 is a vertical sectional view partially diagrammatic in form of a dyeing machine embodying the invention, taken on line ll ofFlG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are enlarged fragmentary perspective views of the drive chain structure used in the machine.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a dyeing machine embodying the invention. The machine includes a rectangular tank having vertical sidewalls 11, 12 end walls 14, 15 and a closed bottom wall 16. The top of the tank is open. Secured to the inner sides of walls 11, 12 are two stationary frames 18. Horizontal rollers are mounted between the frames on lower horizontal sections 21 of the frames. Horizontal rollers 22, 24 are mounted on upper sections 25, 27 of the frames. Rollers 22, 24 are elevated above the tank while rollers 20 are located inside the tank. Sprockets 26a, 26b, 26c at the ends of the rollers are engaged by endless chains 28 at opposite sides of the tank. The rollers are carried by shafts 29 joumaled in bearings in the frames 18. On the shaft-carrying roller 24 is another sprocket 30 entrained by a drive chain 32 engaged on drive sprocket 34 of a motor 36 mounted on a platform 38 at the top of the tank.

A pair of movable frames 40 are located inside the tank at opposite sides thereof. These frames have a straight horizontal section 42 carrying rollers 44 located below and between rollers 20, 22 and 24. Rollers 44 are mounted on shafts 46 journaled in bearings in frame section 42. Sprockets 48 on shafts 46 at the opposite ends of rollers 44 entrain lower turns of the chains 28. At opposite ends of the frames 40 are vertical arms 50 provided with vertical slots 52 through which extend satisfactory rods 54 secured between opposite sidewalls of the tank. These rods serve as guides to constrain the frames 40 and lower rollers to vertical movement inside the tank.

Flexible cables 56 are secured to upper ends of arms 50. These cables pass over pulleys 57 and are engaged on winches 58 driven by motors 60, 62 mounted at opposite ends of the tank on platforms 64.

Chains 28 are maintained in a taut condition by arms 68 and 69 pivotally mounted on frame sections 42 and urged rotatably outward by springs 70 secured between the arms and sections 42 of the frames. The arms 68 and 69 carry shafts 72 rotatably supporting sprockets 73 and 74. The chains 28 have lower courses slidably extending through horizontal channels 75 carried by bars 76 attached to frames 40; see FIGS. 1 and 5. The chains 28 extend around sprockets 77, 79 carried by frames 40 at opposite ends of channels 75. The chains extend around sprockets 73 which are located between sprockets 77 and sprockets 26a, and around sprockets 74 which are located between sprockets 79 and 260. By the arrangement described, the chains are driven by motor 36 to rotate the rollers carried by the frames.

Mounted at one end of the tank on framework 80 is a supply roll 82 of a fabric 84 to be dyed in the machine. The fabric is entrained around rollers 20, 22, 24 and 44. Edges of the fabric are engaged by pins 83 extending laterally from the chains to keep the fabric taut; see FIG. 4. The fabric may have multiple separable layers 84 which are taken off roller 24 and wound on takeup rolls 88. These rolls are carried by shafts rotatably supported on a framework 92. The takeup rolls are driven by pulleys 94 on shafts 90. The pulleys engage belts 96 engaged on a driving clutch and pulley mechanism 98 driven by a motor 100 on framework 92.

The tank can be filled with a liquid dye via a filler pipe 102 up to level L indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1. The liquid dye will cover rollers 26b on the lower sections 21 of frames 18. The dye can be kept in a heated and stirred condition by steam issuing from holes 104 in steampipes 106 extending horizontally through the end walls of the tank below the chains and rollers. The steampipes are connected to a suitable supply of steam via a valve 108. A drainpipe 110 controlled by a valve 112 is fitted into the tank at the bottom. A pipe 114 connected via a valve 115 to a pump 116 at end wall 15 of the tank extends through the tank, pipe has multiple nozzles 117 opening into the tank. A pipe 118 connected to the pump 116 terminates at a supply of hot air (not shown). Another pump 120 on end wall 14 is also connected to pipe 114 via a valve 122. This pump exerts suction for drawing off the liquid dye rapidly. Drainpipe 1 10 is used when the tank is being cleaned.

In operation of the dye machine, a section of the fabric carried on rollers 20, 22, 24 and 44 as shown in the drawings will be immersed in the liquid dye. The motors 36 and 100 will be turned off so that the rollers and fabric is stationary. The steam supply will be turned on and applied through steampipes 106. The steam bubbling up will heat the liquid dye and keep it stirred so that the fabric is uniformly saturated. If desired the rollers 20 and 44 can be formed as hollow cylinders with multiple holes to permit free passage of the liquid dye through the rollers. After the fabric has been saturated by the liquid dye for a predetermined length of time, the liquid dye can be drawn off via pipe 114 by turning pump 120 and opening valve 122. The liquid dye will be drawn off to a suitable storage reservoir (not shown). Residual liquid can be drawn off via drainpipe 110. When the liquid level is below nozzles 117, valve 122 will be closed, and valve 115 will be opened. Pump 118 will be turned on to pump hot air into the tank. The hot air rising will dry the dyed fabric quickly and uniformly since it is held uniformly on the rollers 20 and 44. The pins 83 on the chains hold the fabric taut transversely in its plane so that no wrinkles develop. If it is desired to tension the fabric lengthwise while it is being dyed, the frames 40 will be lowered. This is accomplished by turning on motors 60 and 62 to lower the rollers 44 and frames 40 together. The arms 68 will pivot inwardly against tension in springs 70 when the rollers and frames are lowered. If it is desired to relax tension on the fabric while it is being dyed, the motors 60 and 62 will be reversed. This will raise the rollers and frames and relax tension on the frames. The winches are provided with conventional holding mechanisms to keep-cables 56 extended any desired lengths for maintaining tension on the fabric. After the dyedfabric is dried the motors 36 and 100 will be started to advance a new length of fabric into the tank for dyeing and to take up the died fabric on rolls 88. The cycle of operation described above will then be repeated.

The present apparatus makes it possible to dye, dry and rewind fabric in a single machine. The fabric is engaged on rollers or on rolls at all times so that it does not warp or twist. The fabric can be tensioned transversely and lengthwise to minimize shrinkage insure optimum dyeing efficiency.

What is claimed is:

l. a dyeing machine, comprising a tank for containing a liquid dye; a first plurality of rollers rotatably supported in the tank; a second plurality of rollers supported in the tank below the first rollers for engaging and supporting the fabric between the first and second rollers while the fabric is being dyed; means for releasing steam in the tank to heat and stir said liquid dye while the fabric is being dyed; means for draining the liquid dye from the tank while the dyed fabric is still in the tank; means for blowing hot air into the tank to dry the dyed fabric; frame bars in the tank rotatably supporting said second plurality of rollers; and motor means operatively connected to said frame bars for elevating and lowering the second rollers for adjustably relaxing and tensioning the fabric while it is being dyed.

2.'A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising pins extending laterally from the chains for engaging margins of the fabric to keep the same transversely tensioned Anna while the fabric is being dyed.

3. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for draining the tank comprises a pipe extending through the tank below the rollers and having openings in the tank; and a pump connected to said pipe for exerting suction to draw the liquid dye from the tank.

4. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for blowing hot air into the tank to dry the dyed fabric comprises another pump connected to said pipe.

5. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for elevating and lowering the second rollers for ad justably relaxing and tensioning the fabric while it is being d ed.

6. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 5, further comprising endless chains operatively arranged to drive the rollers for passing fresh undyed fabric into the tank to be dyed while the dyed fabric is drawn off the rollers and out of the tank; and means for keeping the chains tension in all elevated and lowered positions of the second rollers.

7. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, fiirther comprising shafts carrying the first and second rollers, sprockets on ends of the shafts; endless chains engaged on said sprockets and arranged to drive the rollers for passing fresh undyed fabric into the tank to be dyed while the dyed fabric is drawn off the rollers out of the tank; other motor means arranged to drive the chains; and takeup means driven by further motor means adjacent the tank for taking up the dyed fabric drawn off the rollers.

t t I! t i= lain. 

1. A DYEING MACHINE, COMPRISING A TANK FOR CONTAINING A LIQUID DYE; A FIRST PLURALITY OF ROLLERS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN THE TANK; A SECOND PLURALITY OF ROLLERS SUPPORTED IN THE TANK BELOW THE FIRST ROLLERS FOR ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING THE FABRIC BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND ROLLERS WHILE THE FABRIC IS BEING DYED; MEANS FOR RELEASING STEAM IN THE TANK TO HEAT AND STIR SAID LIQUID DYE WHILE THE FABRIC IS BEING DYED; MEANS FOR DRAINING THE LIQUID DYE FROM THE TANK WHILE THE DYED FABRIC IS STILL IN THE TANK; MEANS FOR BLOWING HOT AIR INTO THE TANK TO DRY THE DYED FABRIC; FRAME BARS IN THE TANK ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID SECOND PLURALITY OF ROLLERS; AND MOTOR MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME BARS FOR ELEVATING AND LOWERING THE SECOND ROLLERS FOR ADJUSTABLY RELAXING AND TENSIONING THE FABRIC WHILE IT IS BEING DYED.
 2. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising pins extending laterally from the chains for engaging margins of the fabric to keep the same transversely tensioned while the fabric is being dyed.
 3. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for draining the tank comprises a pipe extending through the tank below the rollers and having openings in the tank; and a pump connected to said pipe for exerting suction to draw the liquid dye from the tank.
 4. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for blowing hot air into the tank to dry the dyed fabriC comprises another pump connected to said pipe.
 5. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for elevating and lowering the second rollers for adjustably relaxing and tensioning the fabric while it is being dyed.
 6. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 5, further comprising endless chains operatively arranged to drive the rollers for passing fresh undyed fabric into the tank to be dyed while the dyed fabric is drawn off the rollers and out of the tank; and means for keeping the chains tension in all elevated and lowered positions of the second rollers.
 7. A dyeing machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising shafts carrying the first and second rollers, sprockets on ends of the shafts; endless chains engaged on said sprockets and arranged to drive the rollers for passing fresh undyed fabric into the tank to be dyed while the dyed fabric is drawn off the rollers out of the tank; other motor means arranged to drive the chains; and takeup means driven by further motor means adjacent the tank for taking up the dyed fabric drawn off the rollers. 